US20060037987A1

US20060037987A1 - Notebook computer suitcase for a user using as a desk

Info

Publication number: US20060037987A1
Application number: US10/924,437
Authority: US
Inventors: Jui-Ching Lin
Original assignee: BOUL WEY PLASTIC INDUSTRIAL Co Ltd
Current assignee: BOUL WEY PLASTIC INDUSTRIAL Co Ltd
Priority date: 2004-08-23
Filing date: 2004-08-23
Publication date: 2006-02-23

Abstract

A notebook computer suitcase for a user using as a desk has a frame, a cover, two belts, two recoiling devices, a positioning device, and a locking device. The cover is pivotally mounted on the frame to enclose the portable computer inside the frame. The two belts are attached respectively to two sides of the frame. The two recoiling devices are formed inside the frame to respectively connect to the two belts so that the two belts are adjustable in length. The position device is pivotally attached under of the frame to abut user's body. Thereby, when the portable computer is operated, the two belts are adjusted to desired lengths to loop user's shoulders and to keep the portable computer in a flat position in front of the user. Meanwhile, the positioning device is extended to abut the user's body to provide a positioning efficiency to the portable computer.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a notebook computer suitcase, and more particularly a notebook computer suitcase that can selectively serve as a desk to allow a user to use the notebook computer at anyplace, and even when the user is standing.
2. Description of Related Art
Portable computers, so-called notebook computers, are increasingly popular because they compact and portable while providing most of the features of a personal computer. However, when the notebook computer is operated, a platform is needed to support the notebook to allow a user to key-in conveniently and accurately.
With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, a conventional bag for carrying the portable computer comprises a rectangular frame (60) with an opening, a top side and two opposite sides, a soft cover (62), a hanging belt (70), and a handle (64). The soft cover (62) is mounted on the rectangular frame (60) to cover the opening. The hanging belt (70) has two ends respectively and detachably attached to the two opposite sides of the rectangular frame (60). The handle (64) is attached to the top side of the rectangular frame (60) for convenient carrying.
As shown in FIG. 10, when a user operates the portable computer, the hanging belt (70) loops around the user's body and extends backward from a top of the shoulder on one side to extend out from under the armpit on the other side. Therefore, the rectangular frame (60) can hang in front of the user's body and to keep horizontal to abut to the user's body. Then, the soft cover is lifted up to reveal a panel of the portable computer inside the rectangular frame (60) to allow the user to reach the portable computer.
Although the conventional bag makes the notebook portable in a convenient way and even allows the user to access the portable computer even when standing, using the portable computer still has some inconvenient drawbacks. When using the portable computer with the conventional bag, it is necessary to use one hand to hold the portable computer and so only the other one hand is free to operate the portable computer because the conventional bag has no auxiliary positioning means to keep the portable computer steady. Therefore, the conventional bag is only suitable for some particular portable computer that can be operated by one hand such as tablet computer (also called panel computer).
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide a notebook suitcase for user suing as a desk to mitigate and obviate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the invention is to provide a notebook computer suitcase that has an auxiliary positioning means whereby the notebook suitcase can temporarily yet steadily serve as a desk.
To achieve the above objective, the notebook computer suitcase comprises a frame, a cover, two belts, two optional recoiling devices, a positioning device, and a locking device. The frame adapts to receive a portable computer and has an interior, a partition, an open top, two sides, a front end and a rear end. The cover is pivotally mounted on the frame at the rear end to cover the open top of the frame and to enclose the portable computer inside the notebook computer suitcase. The two belts are attached respectively to the two sides of the frame to make the notebook computer suitcase easily carried on the back. The two recoiling devices are formed under the partition to respectively and operationally connect to the two belts so that the two belts are adjustable in length. The position device is foldable and attached under of the frame near the front end to abut user's body and to keep the notebook computer suitcase steady. The locking device is formed on the front end of the frame to keep the cover firmly combined with the frame. Thereby, when the portable computer is operated, the two belts are adjusted to desired lengths to loop around the user's shoulders and to keep the portable computer in a flat position in front of the user. Meanwhile, the positioning device is extended to abut the user's body to provide a positioning efficiency to the portable computer. Thus, the user can operate the portable computer without holding.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of notebook computer suitcase for a user using as a desk in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the notebook computer suitcase for a user using as a desk in FIG. 1, wherein the notebook suitcase is empty and a positioning device is folded;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional bottom view of notebook computer suitcase for a user using as a desk in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is an operational side view of the notebook computer suitcase for a user using as a desk in FIG. 1 when a user operates a notebook computer;
FIG. 5 is another operational side view of the notebook computer suitcase for use as a desk in FIG. 1, wherein two belts cross behind user's back;
FIG. 6 is an operational side view of carrying the notebook computer suitcase, wherein the user selectively carries the notebook computer suitcase by hand;
FIG. 7 is an operational side view of carrying the notebook computer suitcase, wherein the notebook computer suitcase is worn on his back;
FIG. 8 is a side view of another embodiment of the notebook computer suitcase in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a partially exploded perspective view of a conventional bag for carrying the portable computer in accordance with the prior art; and
FIG. 10 is an operational perspective view of the conventional bag for carrying the portable computer in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A notebook computer suitcase in accordance with the present invention comprises a frame, a cover, two belts, two optional recoiling devices, a positioning device, and a locking device. The frame adapts to receive a portable computer (for example, a notebook) and has an interior, a partition partition, an open top, two sides, a front end and a rear end. The cover is pivotally mounted on the frame at the rear end to cover the open top of the frame and to enclose the portable computer inside the notebook computer suitcase. The two belts are attached respectively to the two sides of the frame to make the notebook computer suitcase easily carried on the back. The two recoiling devices are formed under the partition to respectively and operationally connect to the two belts so that the two belts are adjustable in length. The positioning device is foldable and attached to an underside of the frame near the front end to abut user's body and to keep the notebook computer suitcase steady. The locking device is formed on the front end of the frame to keep the cover firmly combined with the frame. Thereby, when the portable computer is operated, the two belts are adjusted to desired lengths to loop around a user's shoulders and to keep the portable computer flat in position in front of the user. Meanwhile, the positioning device is extended to abut the user's body to provide a positioning efficiency to the portable computer. The user can operate the portable computer without having to hold it.
With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, a preferred embodiment of the notebook computer suitcase (10) for a user using as a desk in the present application comprises a frame (11), a cover (12), two belts (20), two recoiling devices (112), a positioning device, and a locking device.
The frame (11) is rectangular and has an interior (111), an open top, a bottom, a partition (115), two sides, a front end and a rear end. The partition (115) is received inside the frame (11) to divide the interior (111) into an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion is adapted to receive a portable computer.
The two belts (20) are respectively attached to the two sides of the frame (111) and preferably adjustable in length. The two recoiling devices (112) are respectively attached under the partition (115) to control the length of the belts (20). As shown in FIG. 3, each recoiling device (112) has a compartment (1121), a recoiling spring (1122) and a push button (114). The compartment (1121) is formed under the partition (112) and the recoiling spring (1122) is accommodated inside the compartment (1121). The push button (114) is movably attached on the side of the frame (11) and is pressed by the user to selectively fasten the belt (20). Each belt (20) has two ends, one end is immovably attached to the side of the frame (11) near the front end, the other end circuits around the corresponding recoiling spring (1122) inside the compartment (1121) of the recoiling device (112). Therefore, the belt (20) can be pulled out of the compartment (1121) to a desired length and then fastened by the push button (114). The belt (20) also can be retracted into the compartment (1121) by the recoiling spring (1122) when the push button (114) releases the belt (20).
The positioning device is pivotally attached under the bottom of the frame (11) near the front end and is composed of an abutting board (30) and two foldable arms (40). The abutting board (30) is rectangular and has two side ends and a width the same as the frame (11). Each foldable arm (40) is pivotally attached between one side of the frame (11) and the corresponding side end of the abutting board (30). Each foldable arm (40) is composed of a first strip (41) and a second strip (42) pivotally connected to each other. Preferably, a hook (421) is formed on one strip (42) and a recess (411) is defined in the other strip (41) to engage with each other and to keep the foldable arm (40) in straight when the foldable arm (40) is fully extended. When the two foldable arms (40) are folded, the abutting board (30) is attached under the bottom of the frame (11). When the foldable arms (40) are fully extended, the abutting board (30) is erected to be flush with the front end of the frame (11).
The locking device is formed between the cover (12) and the frame (11) to keep the cover (12) firmly mounted on the frame (11). The locking device is composed of a hasp (122) and a wedge lock (113) respectively formed on the cover (12) and the frame (11) to engage with each other.
With reference to FIG. 4, when a user operates the portable computer, the belts (20) are adjusted to desired lengths to loop around the shoulders and to suspend the portable computer laterally in front of the user. Meanwhile, the abutting board (30) is pulled out to fully extend the two foldable arms (40) and the cover (12) is lifted up to reveal the portable computer. Therefore, when the front end of the frame (11) abuts the user's body, the abutting board (30) also abuts the user's body to provide a positioning capability to keep the portable computer steady while the portable computer is being operated. The whole notebook computer suitcase can temporarily serve as a desk to enable use of the portable computer.
With reference to FIG. 5, another operational method for looping the belts around the user's body is shown. The two belts (20) transversally cross with each other behind the user's back to avoid the belts (20) sliding from the shoulders. Preferably, each belt (20) further has a buckle (22) and a buckle seat (23) to allow the belt (20) to open to exchangeably attach with the other belt (20) in the cross linkage.
With reference to FIG. 6, when the portable computer is not used, the abutting board (30) is folded back to attached the bottom of the frame (11) and the two belts (20) are retracted into the compartment (1121) of the recoiling devices (112). The user is enabled to carry the notebook computer suitcase by holding one belt (20). With reference to FIG. 7, the user also can selectivelycarry the notebook computer suitcase on user's back.
With reference to FIG. 8, another preferred embodiment of the notebook computer suitcase in accordance with the present invention has basically the same configuration with the one mentioned above except the locking device and multiple shock-absorbing devices (50) received inside the lower portion in the frame (11 a). The multiple shock-absorbing devices (50) are mounted between the partition (115 a) and the bottom of the frame (11 a). Correspondingly, the partition (115 a) is not attached to the frame (11 a) inside the interior and movably mounted on the multiple shock-absorbing devices (50). Each shock-absorbing device (50) is composed of a post (52) erecting from the bottom of the frame (11 a) and a spring (54) surrounding the post (52) and clamped between the partition board (115 a) and the bottom of the frame (11 a). The locking device is a zipper (55) attached between the cover (12 a) and the frame (11 a). Additionally, the notebook computer suitcase is preferably modified into a hard case with two layers. The cover (12 a) and the frame (11 a) are respectively composed of an outer soft layer (121) and an inner strengthening board (122).
It is to be understood however that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in variation of the arrangement within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. A notebook computer suitcase for a user using as a desk, the notebook suitcase comprises:

a frame (11) having an interior (111), an open top, a bottom, a partition (115), two sides, a front end and a rear end, wherein the partition (115) is received inside the frame (11) to divide the interior (111) into an upper portion and a lower portion;

two belts (20) respectively and adjustably attached to the two sides of the frame (111); and

a positioning device pivotally attached under the bottom of the frame (11) near the front end and comprising:

an abutting board (30) with two side ends pivotally attached at the front end of the frame (11); and

two foldable arms (40) respectively extending between the two sides of the frame (11) and the two side ends of the abutting board (30) to optionally support the abutting board (30); and

a locking device attached between the cover (12) and frame (11) to combine the cover (12) and the frame (11) together.

2. The notebook computer suitcase as claimed in claim 1, wherein the notebook computer suitcase further has two recoiling devices (112) respectively attached under the partition (115) near rear end of the frame (1) and operationally connecting to the two belts (20), each recoiling device (112) has:

a compartment (1121) formed under the partition (115) to connect to the sides of the frame (11);

a recoiling spring (1122) accommodated inside the compartment (1121) and engaged with one corresponding belt (20) to rewind the corresponding belt (20); and

a push button (114) movably attached on the side of the frame (11) to optionally fasten the belt (20) by compressing

3. The notebook computer suitcase as claimed in claim 2, wherein each foldable arm (40) comprising:

a first strip (41) and a second strip (42) pivotally connected to each other;

a hook (421) formed on one strip (42); and

a recess (411) defined in the other strip (41) to engage with the hook (421) to keep the foldable arm (40) straight when the foldable arm (40) is fully extended.

4. The notebook computer suitcase as claimed in claim 2, wherein the locking device is composed of a hasp (122) and a wedge lock (113) respectively formed on the cover (12) and the frame (11).

5. The notebook computer suitcase as claimed in claim 3, wherein the locking device is composed of a hasp (122) and a wedge lock (113) respectively formed on the cover (12) and the frame (11).

6. The notebook computer suitcase as claimed in claim 1, wherein the notebook computer suitcase further comprises multiple shock-absorbing devices (50) received inside the lower portion in the frame (11 a), each shock-absorbing devices (50) has:

a post (52) erecting from the bottom of the frame (11 a); and

a spring (54) surrounding the post (52) and clamped between the partition (115 a) and the bottom of the frame (11 a).

7. The notebook computer suitcase as claimed in claim 3, wherein the notebook computer suitcase further comprises multiple shock-absorbing devices (50) received inside the lower portion in the frame (11 a), each shock-absorbing device (50) has:

a post (52) erecting from the bottom of the frame (11 a); and

8. The notebook computer suitcase as claimed in claim 3, wherein the locking device is a zipper (55) attached between the cover (12 a) and the frame (11 a).

9. The notebook computer suitcase as claimed in claim 8, wherein the cover (12 a) and the frame (11 a) are respectively composed of an outer soft layer (121) and an inner strengthening board (122).